Zipper actuating device



July 29, 1958 R.- c. 000p ,8 5,

ZIPPER ACTUATING DEVICE Filed May 20, 1955 ZIPPER ACTUATING DEVICE Raymond C. Doop, New York, N. Y.

Application May 20, 1955, Serial No. 509,752

4 Claims. (Cl. 294-1) This invention relates to a zipper actuator and its principal object is to permit the wearer of a garment equipped with a zipper to actuate the slide fastener of such a zipper, even though it be in an inaccessible location, such as the back of the garment.

Widespread use is made of slide fasteners in the clothing industry, and due to their inconspicuousness, they are greatly. favored as fasteners for Womens dresses. Most frequently they are used in the back of such dresses and the wearers find it difficult, if not impossible, to open and close them unaided. With the actuator described herein, any woman may, without other assistance, readily close and open a slide fastener irrespective of its location in the garment she may be wearing.

For the foregoing reasons, another object of this invention is to provide a simple, sturdy actuator, susceptible of being given an attractive appearance and one that will harmonize with other boudoir accessories. Still another object is to permit such actuators to be readily and economically produced from any of a number of commercially available materials.

Other objects will appear from the description which follows.

A single embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the actuatorf Figure 2 is a side elevational view partly in section of only the curved end.

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the curved end.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the clasp member which is normally hinged at the curved end of the actuator.

Figure 6 illustrates the use of the curved end.

Figure 7 illustrates the use of the straight end of the actuator.

Referring to the drawings in which the same reference character refers to the same or a similar part, the actuator shown consists of body 1, formed of wood, plastic or the like, the principal portion of which is a rigid, substantially straight shaft 1' having curved end 2 and a straight end 3. ornamentation 4 is applied to shaft 1 to give decorative effect.

Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 4, a snap fastener is attached to the curved end 2. It consists of metal stud 5 having its inner end 5" cemented or otherwise held in end 2 and projects outward at substantially right angles to face 2'. Metal stud 5 is shaped to form a neck portion 6 and a spherical button 5', both of which extend outward from end face 2' of shaft 1. Rotatable collar 7 encircles neck 6.

.tes Patent 0 ice Referring also to Figure 5, a clasp 8 is hinged by means of its cross member 10 passing through a hole in perforated tab 14 of collar 7. Clasp 8 is shaped of suitable wire so that it has parallel straight portions 10, resilient curved portions 11, forming an eye and adapted to'separate in passing over button 5, and an outer portion constituting finger piece 12.

As best seen in Figure 6, the curved end of the actuator is used by raising clasp 8, engaging neck 6 through the eyelet of zipper slide fastener Z of garment G, and then closing clasp 8 over button 5 so that the resilient members 11 encircle neck 6, locking the slide fastener on stud 5. With this positive attachment to the slide fastener, the actuator may be manipulated to open or close the zipper links. It may be readily detached after the desired opening or closing of the slide fastener. Rotatable collar 7 facilitates the use of the snap fastener since clasp 8 may be readily turned to accommodate the user when the fastener is being attached or detached in an out of the Way location.

At the other end of shaft 1', hole 14 permits a cord or ribbon 15 to be inserted and to flexibly connect shaft 1 with a hook member 16. This end of the device may be employed where locking is not required, that is, where the pull on the zipper will be in one direction and hook 16 will not thus be disengaged from fastener Z.

It is apparent that many modifications may be made in this actuator, particularly in the snap fastener or locking means used, and that various kinds of material may be employed in its construction. I do not, therefore, limit myself to the illustrations shown herein.

What I claim is:

1. A device for manipulating a slide fastener in which there is an element having an eyelet, comprising a rod having a spherical button mounted on a stud projecting at one end and adapted to detachably engage said eyelet; and a clasp hinged on such stud for engaging the button.

2. A device for manipulating a slide fastener in which there is an element having an eyelet, comprising a rod terminating in a curved end; a spherical button mounted on a stud projecting from the face of such curved end and adapted to detachably engage said eyelet; and a clasp hinged on such stud for engaging the button.

3. A device for manipulating a slide fastener in which there is an element having an eyelet, comprising a rod having spherical button mounted on a stud projecting at one end and adapted to detachably engage said eyelet; a collar rotatable on the stud; and a clasp hinged on the collar for engaging the button.

4. A device for manipulating a slide fastener in which there is an element having an eyelet, comprising a rod terminating in a curved end; a spherical button mounted on a stud projecting from the face of such curved end and adapted to detachably engage said eyelet; a collar rotatable on the stud; and a clasp hinged on the collar for engaging the button.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

